plate no. 0385

Cliffs in Gray Weather

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapecliffsseaskylandscaperocksvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and broken color techniques to represent textures and depth. It also provides practice in mixing muted tones and creating a sense of mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the shapes of the cliffs.
step 02
Establish the sky with a thin layer of gray-blue paint, blending smoothly.
step 03
Block in the large masses of the cliffs with dark browns and greens, varying the tones to suggest form.
step 04
Add details to the cliffs, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and suggest vegetation.
step 05
Paint the sea with horizontal strokes, using a mix of greens, blues, and grays. Vary the color and value to create depth and movement.
step 06
Add highlights to the water and rocks to suggest light and reflection.
step 07
Refine the details of the cliffs and sea, paying attention to the subtle color variations and textures.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green

Mix muted greens by combining ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, and burnt umber. Achieve various grays by mixing ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and titanium white in different proportions.

techniques